Sanitary table utensil



A. W. BUTT ERFIELD.

SANITARY TABLE UTEN SIL. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23. I918.

1,8 10,903; Patented July 22, 1919.

F|'s.5 j 6 4 ANNE WIITE BUTTER FIELD tannin sr S T N GFFICEQ ANNE WITTE BUTTERFIELD, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO.

SANITARY TABLE UrnNsIL.

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, ANNE Wrrcrn BUTTER- FIELD, a citizen of-the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sanitary Table Utensils, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in sanitary table utensils, and particularly to table trays, adapted for use by children and others for the purpose of preserving in a cleanly condition the table cloth during meals.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this type which is comparatively inexpensive and simple in construction, durable, which may be attached to a table quickly and with ease, and which may with equal facility be detached therefrom, and which will be retained firmly in position when in use.

With these objects in view the invention consists in a certain novel construction of the tray per se and in certain combinations and arrangements of parts adapting the tray for use in connection with a dining table.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that the invention contemplates changes in form, shape, material, etc., without departing from the sp1r1t thereof.

In the preferred form of my invention as illustrated in the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the tray attached, in position for use, to the edge of a table top.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the table top and showing an end or edge view of the tray.

Fig. 3 is a front edge view of the tray attached to the table top. I

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the tra detached from the table.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view of the table and tray on 'l1ne A-A these spring fingers Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 22, 1919,

Application filed October 23. 1918. Serial No. 259.373.

cleansed,- and will present a neat and attrac: tlve appearance. Other materials, such as celluloid, hard rubber, etc., may be used if desired, as these are sanitary and in some cases may be acceptable for use.

The body of the tray preferably has a flat surface, slightly inclined, and at its front the tray is formed with an integral,

angular wall 2. In the drawings the tray is of rectangular form, but its front wall 2 and front edge are slightly curved to 0011- form to the curved edge of a table top, and the four upper edges of the tray are formed with a continuous bead or molding strip 3. The bead forms a barrier or wall to revent escape of liquids or liquid-foods an to retain the dishes or other articles, and at the same time reinforces the strength of the tray and renders it rigid.

At the underside of the tray, an angle plate or under-bent flange 1 is fashioned, which is curved to conform to the rounded edge of the table T and is designed to fit up under the table ed e. This flange per se is a retaining or holding device, but in addition thereto I preferably use a pair of spring fingers 5, 5, of resilient metal and pivoted at 6 to the flange 4. When in use, press up against the under surface of the table top and hold the tray against displacement: When not in use, the spring fingers may be turned from the operative position of Fig. 5 to the inoperative position of Fig. 4, thus adapting the device for use even though the ledge to which it is to be attached has only a slight projection.

In conjunction with the spring fingers at the under side of the table T, I employ nonsliding pads or cushions 7 to engage the table cloth as C. I have illustrated three of these pads which are in the nature of round disks of rubber or other suitable material attached at the under side of the tray near the edge toward the table center. Preferably the underface or surface of the pads or cushions is corrugated or roughened in order that it will take a hold on the surface of the table cloth and prevent the tray from slipping or being easily moved out of place. It will readily be seen that the spring fin ers and the roughened pads are adapted to iiold the tray stationary when the tray is in proper position, and the stability of the tray will prevent accidents to dishes or plates and spilling of liquids which might otherwise occur should a child move the tray.

From the above description taken in con nection with my drawings it is evident that I have provided a device which fulfils the Copies of thispatent may he obtained for vided with a pluralit of corrugated disk pads fixed on its unc er surface, said tray fashioned with a frontrwall and an underbent integral flange, and pivoted resilient retaining fingers on the flange adapted to swing to position to engage the underside of a table and co-act with saidpads for retaining the tray in position.-

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ANNE W ITTE BU TTERFIELD.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

